Southern California -- this just in

Detectives interview more than 70 in La Puente soccer hazing case

September 26, 2012 | 10:03
am

L.A. County sheriff's detectives have interviewed more than 70 people over allegations of sexual hazing on the La Puente High School boys' soccer team.

Four students were cited and released to their parents, and prosecutors are considering whether to file charges. The alleged assaults are believed to
have occurred on school grounds and are suspected of being part of a
hazing ritual for new players on the Warriors' championship varsity
soccer team.

Sheriff's Special Victims
Unit detectives
initiated the investigation after a parent of one of the alleged victims
contacted authorities. Detectives have identified at least four
students, ages 14 and 15, and believe the hazing has been going on for
several years, Sgt. Dan Scott said.

Detectives are investigating the latest case, when a boy on the
soccer team was allegedly sodomized in a storage area last spring. So
far, four teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of assault in the hazing.

Authorities said they were investigating whether more suspects were
involved. Two of the alleged victims appeared on "Headline News" with Dr. Drew
Pinsky and accused as many as 10 older players of being involved
in the attacks.

One boy told Pinsky he went to the storage room where they keep
soccer equipment and was jumped by 10 players. They asked, "Do you want
it the easy way or hard way?" the boy said. He said he tried to run but
was grabbed and sexually assaulted.

The 14-year-old boy said he believes the hazing has been going on for
some time and that the suspects may have also been victims.

Attorney Brian Claypool said the coach told the alleged victims to go
into an athletic storage room, where they were "jumped" by four older
soccer players and penetrated with "a javelin-like pole."

"The coach told them to go in the room," Claypool said. "Once inside,
four big players pushed them down from behind. My guys fought like
crazy. And when they got out, one said he saw the teacher wink at the
senior player who attacked him."

That coach has been placed on administrative leave by the school
district. Authorities said they do not have any evidence at this stage that he was
present during any of the attacks, but they were investigating his role
in the incidents.

Photo: Marta, a parent with a son on the soccer team, listens to the graphic
details of the alleged hazing of several boys during a news conference by attorney Brian Claypool on Monday. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times